MACKanese monday: Juddy wannie beau-dee-full

Hello, MACKanese monday!

Today, you get a whole song! Okay, part of a song, if you want to quibble.

It's a boy-band pop song...and in MACKanese it goes like this:

Judy wannie beau-dee-full
And use-ful
And bo-ody else
Oh...oh-oh
Judy wannie beau-dee-full
Oh...oh-oh
(repeat...over and over and over...for a 12 hour road trip. It'll be awesome...so awesome.)

A standard definition is impossible; the movie credit and catchy melody can be found here. Of course, we watch the English version. ;)

Happy singing!

Joldieblox

Hello, MACKanese monday!

I often refer to my littles as "bears". The Three Bears. Don't forget the star of the story, Joldieblox.

Joldieblox
/jôəl•dē•bläks/
noun

1. Goldilocks
2. A girl who hangs out with The Three Bears.
3. Also known as "Jaci Girl".

friday find

it is here!

Nope, I don't mean the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale...it's better.

Waaaaay better!

Well, at least for those of us with shallow pockets.

Or those of us that simply love an AMAZING deal, regardless of pocket depth.

It is the Lands' End Warehouse Clearance Event! WAHOOOOO!

Praise the good Lord, IT IS HERE!

If you've seen past posts, you know why you should go...as in stop reading and GO NOW!

If not, below is a very conservative savings of $115.

That's why you should go. Right now. Every day.

Rally, my people...RALLY!

Lands' End Polo Dress (Company Store) $5

Lands' End Polka Dot Tote (Bargain Nook) $1

Lands' End Canvas Leather Wedges (Warehouse Sale!) $7

Bib Necklace (Jane or Sassy Steals?) Free+$1.99 shipping

Outfit Total: $14.99

Linking up with The Pleated Poppy for WIWW.

girls just wanna have fu-un

I've decided; I was young enough in the 80's to replay some of it's fashion. When the mood strikes, I channel Madonna and Cindy. Here goes nothin'!

Miley Cyrus (oh dear) Striped Crop Shirt (Goodwill) $4.29

Mossimo Long & Lean Tank (Target) $5.00

Mossimo Capri Leggings (Goodwill) $1.99

Pink & Gold Necklace (Forever 21) $3?

Outfit Total: $14.28

I think this outfit needs some lace or mesh...or both. Oooh...or a fingerless glove! Kidding, kidding.

Linking up with The Pleated Poppy for WIWW.

MACKanese monday: kasplode

Hello, MACKanese monday!

Last weekend, we invited ourselves to dinner with our besties and to tag along for fireworks after. They're only 40 minutes from us yet life gets in the way and my beautiful God-daughters seem to grow inches between visits. I hate that. So when the opportunity to see these angels came up I forgot to ask and as much told we're coming. It was low key (once the girls took our boys to the basement to dance with the wii:) and easy...easy food, easy conversations, easy company. It doesn't get better.♡

The fireworks were AWESOME! So awesome I felt a little **chagrined. How many years of awesomness had our besties experienced without telling us?! The spot was perfect...the parking was perfect...the crowd was perfect. It's already on our calendar for next year (I'm not kidding Teres...schedule us!). We want to watch more fireworks kasplode with you!

kasplode
/kuh•splohd/
verb

1. kaboom + explode = kasplode
2. What fireworks do.
3. Also, what your hinder does when it "*has bubbles".

*Courtesy of Mack's older brother, Gray. He came up with it about age three...much better for a boy that age (or any:) to talk about hinder bubbles than farts!

**Spelling is not one of my strengths. Oh dear.

MACKanese monday: Soyler & Dovaden

Hello, MACKanese monday!

Two weekends ago we had a wonderful visit with my oldest soul sister (by oldest I mean "known the longest" (welcome Betz;)) Betzy, and her family: husband Aaron, son Hayden, daughter Sawyer. We do not see these beautiful people often enough. Our visit the time before the last was a year ago, shortly after which Sawyer declared she would be marrying Mack. Love her spunk! And so did my boys. Not only did they spend hours over that year talking about Hayden's FERNISHERAL ninja moves but they recalled their new love, "Soyler". I tried several times to correct them all. Gray caught on but Mack and Donovan couldn't make the switch. On this visit, whether she minded her new name or not wasn't apparent but, either way, some sweet karma came 'round when she started calling Donovan "Dovaden". And on this visit I think Soyler favored Dovaden a bit more than Mack. Thank goodness Mack didn't notice. ♥

Soyler
/soi·lər/
noun

1. A precious four-year-old girl who will some day be my daughter-in-law.
2. Yes, please.
3. I really do hope so.

Mack: "Mama, I wanna go to Hayden and Soyler's house today.
Dovaden & Gray: "Me, too!!!"
Me: "So do I guys but they live three hours away so it's not always so simple to get there.
Dovaden: "But I really wanna gooooo!"
Gray: "Mom, just call Auntie Betzy..."
Mack: "...and ask her for a *batation."
Me: "Lucky for us, we always have an invitation to see these friends. I promise we'll go again very soon!"

Oh yes, yes we will! Thanks, for a truly lovely visit!

*two for one:
batation
/ba·tāSHən/
noun

1. A written or verbal request for me to bring you my chaos littles.
2. You must really love us.
3. A lot.

friday finds

I'm an internet window shopper. I rarely click the "checkout" button unless I reeeally need it AND have read many positive reviews. Often, my Nordstrom shopping bag totals over $1,000 (it's easy to do when you're not really gonna buy it all...or any of it;), mostly sale items priced 50% off or better. These items sell out fast, helping me steer clear of bankruptcy (I'm slow to click checkout because I'm reading reviews...even with what I might buy!).

Although it's not the only place I buy new from, I like Nordstrom because they offer free shipping both ways and returns are picked up at my house by my postal person (I'm so PC). Here's what I found at Nordstrom this week:

Pattern Suede Bucket Bag $34.99: great price as it's real leather.

Braided Strap Eyelet Hem Tank $18.90: window shopping is fun because you don't have to worry about logistics...like what bra one would wear with this.

Open Pointelle Knit Pullover $14.97: perfect for cool summer nights. (Peach sold out before I posted.)

Stripe Espadrille $23.96: matches the peach sweater.

Bull Semiprecious Stone Necklace $20.98: adds a pop of color to any outfit.

Paisley Print Skinny Jeans $32.16: these may be terrible on...but, they may not be. trying is FREE!

Outfit Total: $145.96...ouch!

Can someone please tell me how to be one of the cool bloggers who puts the pics of the items in their posts?! This sounds easy but an hour and a half do my time wasted says it isn't.

MACKanese monday: phlone

Welcome back to MACKanese monday! (Repetitive.)

It's time for MACKanese monday! (Well, duh.)

It's monday, again...so let's get MACKanesed! (Say what?!)

Hello, MACKanese monday! (Simple. Clean. Effective.)

Mack said the cutest word this weekend. It was his version of "hangnail". The timing was perfect as I didn't feel like I had a super-great MACKanese word to share today. So, I tucked it in my memory and went back to planning my own surprise party...'cause that's how bad my memory is! I could plan my own surprise party...fir reals. (Shout out to Amanda for the funniest fb post of the week!)

All I can retrieve is "something-bone". Fingerbone? Nope. Wigglebone? Nope.

I am so mad at me! What is my problem! I know better; write the cuteness down immediately! Oh, fewey.

Thanks to my amazing brain power this monday's MACKanese is:

phlone
/flön/
noun

1) phone
2) of the cellular variety
3) the littles know no other

Mack: "Mama, your phlone is ringing...it's Daddy!"

dear cashmere:

I have fallen in love with you and shall never be the same. You have ruined me. Cotton and Wool are ticked.

Forever Yours,
C

*Forever 21 Floral 3/4 Sleeve Blouse (Goodwill) $3.99

Mossimo Distressed Jeans (Goodwill) $6.99

Lands' End Cashmere V-neck Cardi (hand-me-down from Boo who bought it for $5 at LE Company Store!) $0

Merona Nude Flats (Target-BOGOHO) $15

Outfit Total: $25.98

Linking up with The Pleated Poppy for WIWW.

*I think I know why this shirt ended up at Goodwill; it is NOT sliming. See how much better it looks with the (cashmere♥) cardi?! I'll probably never wear it solo again.

MACKanese monday: lema samwich

Welcome back to MACKanese monday!

About a year ago, Boo and I made an impromptu trip to Target with the littles...all three, I think. We stayed longer than expected and were caught without lunch. Up until this day, Mack ate PBJs every lunch and dinner since toddlerdom.

Me: "Boo, it's almost lunchtime...should we boogie home or stop at Culver's?"
Boo, Gray, Mack, Donovan: "Culvers!!!"
Me: "Yah, I know but we don't have a PBJ for Mack. He can't just eat fries amd ice cream for lunch."
Mack: "I love ice cream!"
Me: "I know, Mack, but..."
Boo: "You're sure he won't eat a grilled cheese?"
Mack: "I wanna go to Culver's!"
Me: "Mack, will you eat a grilled cheese sandwich for lunch then?"
Mack: "No; I only want peanut butter jelly. But I wanna eat at Culver's"
(This is when I realized I should have spelled "C-U-L-V-E-R-S" instead of speaking aloud the name of the holy land of ice cream...custard, technically.)
Me: "I understand, Mack, but I didn't bring a peanut butter jelly with us."
Boo: "Mack, will you eat a grilled cheese for Grandma Boo?"
Mack: "No. Please, can we go to Culver's?"
Me: "Nice manners, Mack. I understand you want to go to Culver's but that's a dilema."
Mack: "Yah, I can eat that."
Me, Boo: "Eat what?"
Mack: "A lema."
(Five second pause while we try to decifer what he said.)
Me: "A what, Buddy?"
Mack: "A lema...at the Culver's."
Me: "Do you mean a dilema?"
Mack: "Yah! A lema samwich! At the Culver's! I could eat that, Mama!"

And so, the lema samwich was born. And don't you know, he ate the whole darn thing!

lema samwich
/lemə sam·wiCH/
noun

1. A grilled cheese sandwich.
2. Preferably from the Culver's.
3. Often accompanied by french fries and ice cream...err custard, whatever.

fixin' to mix it

Friday, before my trip to Chicago, my ELPer (Early Learning Program...fancy name for 4K) had his Spring Sing. It was his first time on stage in front of an audience. He decided not to sing...or open his mouth the entire time. He swayed side to side with the beat. He made most of the gestures. And he was AMAZING! Cuter than I could've imagined! Makes a mama proud! Here's what I wore:

LE Polka Dot Scarf (Bargain Nook) $7

Teardrop Necklace (Jane) $3.99

LE Leopard Cardi (gift...thanks, mom!) $0

LE Button Tunic (LE Friends & Family Sale) $2

Vera Wang Jeggings (Goodwill) $1.99

LE Canvas Chucka Boots (LE Warehouse Clearance Event*) $7

Outfit Total: $21.98

Linking up with The Pleated Poppy for WIWW.

*Lands' End: Can we get the 2014 dates, please?

MACKanese monday: caperon

Welcome back to MACKanese monday!

Mack is always my partner in baking. He's in training to be just like his Uncle Mike! Last week we baked Daddy his favorite breakfast cookies and Mack was aghast I forgot our "caperons". Oh, how I love his explainations!♥

caperon
/kāp·rən/
noun

1. A cape you wear as an apron.
2. Usually while baking delicious cookies.
3. Because when you bake cookies you're a SUPER MOM!

Mack: "You look like a super man with your caperon on!"
Me: "Do you think it gives me special baking powers?"
Mack: "Surpely, Mama!"

diy rural chic

"Rural Chic"...it's a new thing, I'm pretty sure. Not really.

I made this shirt for BarrEn Camp 2013. Our good friends, the BARRetts, stay with us, the hansENs, most years for opening weekend. I don't hunt but the other three adults in our quartet do, yet I may be the most excited for the weekend. It's a good excuse to decorate the house with clever deer paraphernalia, eat delish food, and (attempt to) stay up too late enjoying our friend's beer company;). I made two shirts, one for me and one for my huntress friend, using this tutorial. Easy peasy lemon squeezy! AND they turned out pretty great, if I do say so myself.

I can always tell who slimed the mirror based on the height...this one's courtesy of Donovan, my littlest:)

SO Boyfriend Cardigan (Kohls last year) $11

a.n.a Deer Shirt (Goodwill) $3.99 + $5 craft supplies

Paris Blues Skinny Jeans (Goodwill) $6.99

Lands' End Canvas Wedges (LE Warehouse Clearance Event...you're going, aren't you; I knew it!) $7

Outfit Total: $33.98

Linking up with The Pleated Poppy for WIWW.

MACKanese monday: marshlittle

Welcome back to MACKanese monday!

I feel a tish like a fraud; "Mackanese" is a real thing! Who knew? Google, that's who. My creative pride is chipped a bit but this is a wonderful reason for the pieces to fall.

Here's this week's word:

marshlittle
/märsh·litl/
noun

1. A marshmallow that is little.
2. Not the jumbo roasting marshmallows used for smores.
3. The little marshmallows commonly put in hot cocoa.

Mack: "I love marshlittles in my snack bowl! Thanks, Mama!"

happy mother's day!

Drawn by my talented, selfless, funny, beaUtiful, FUN, generous, AMAZING mom...I wanna be just like her when I grow up!

making $oap outta...$oap

We go through three bottles a week, easy. We may not be the firmest parents on every issue but hand washing is non-negotiable.

I think it was my Cousin Peter's wife, Melissa, who showed me (via her then blog?) how to turn gel handsoap into foaming soap. Tot brill and a hefty $avings we've been pocketing for four years-ish. Nice!

I started with Equate gel handsoap but soon realized a Target Card gets me 5% off and free shipping, making Method a convenient, cost effective, still thrifty option.

Using Method Gel Handsoap per bottle fill-up cost is $.14.

Using Dr. Bronner's Castille Soap per bottle fill-up cost is $.56.

Of course, my calculations are dependant on the purchase price of the handsoap. Dr. Bronner's comes in gallons reducing the per bottle fill-up cost to $.43! And occassionally I find Method on sale for around $3 reducing the per bottle fill-up to $.09! Wowzas!!

The Dispensers:

I recently bought the fancy stainless steel joby for $11 from Zulily and I'm not in love. I prefer the plastic Dial foaming dispensers (purchased initially with Dial foaming handsoap and refilled with diluted Method gel handsoap). They last at least a year. Methods foaming dispensers look prettier but only last a few refills.

The Soap:

I like Method and Dr. Bronner's. Method is cheaper and feels more "traditional". I use it in the bathroom as that's where the littles wash; we go through two bottles a week there. I use Dr. Bonner's in the kitchen. It's very enviro-friendly but costs almost three times as much (although still only $.56 a refill) and rinses quickly which I like. I'm considering exclusively buying the scent free Dr. Bronner's by the gallon and adding my own essential oils. 

The Recipe:

2T gel handsoap (most any brand will work)

1c water

Shake...the soap, not you;)

The Result:

Can you guess my fave color? :)

Happy washing, Party People!! Hope you like it!

red cup

Every October we spend at least a week in Gills Rock with my in-laws. It's a highly anticipated trip; we all love it...a lot! Grandma and Grandpa have usually been there for a week before we arrive so when we come with our chaos in tow, they are rested and ready, always welcoming. Most years we get to hang with "Annie Weesa" (Auntie Leesa), too. She makes the vacay over the top! She puts the F·U·N in fun, always!

When I think on it, it's pretty cool (and unusual...amazing...fernisheral) that all of us get along well enough to WANT to spend a week together, sharing space and privacy. Believe me when I say I do not take my relationship and love for my in-laws (all of you Hansens!) for granted.♥

The last two years while in Door County we took the ferry over to Washington Island. The first year husby and I did it alone (and by alone I mean all five of us...no grandparent assistance to move our defense from zone to man-on-man);  an accomplishment that pushed our "we can do this!" confidence a notch higher. Year two we convinced Grandma and Grandpa to come with us. The water and weather were perfect. We explored the island as much as time allowed. Possibly our best discovery that day was the cutest coffee shop ever, Red Cup. It's an eclectic mix of vintage furniture, local artesian products, delicious baked goods, and of course, killer coffee. Simply, it's swooney! In fact, it's a major reason we decided to rent a little diddy on the island for a few nights this year. If we all come back unscathed, this too, will undoubtedly be another "we can do this!" upward movement.

Anyhoo, I'm babbling. Bottom line: I liked the coffee joint so much I bought their $18 t-shirt right then! Wait, nope. Pretty sure my ever generous in-laws picked up the tab on that one, too. THANKS, B&J!

Red Cup t-shirt $0 (gift:)

Shade Clothing polka-dot shirt $5

Decree distressed jeans (JC Penney) $11

Outfit Total: $16.00

I'm not wearing any Lands' End! So weird.

Linking up with The Pleated Poppy for WIWW.

MACKanese monday : surpely

Welcome back to MACKanese monday!

Sometimes Mack's words aren't entirely made up; sometimes they're a slightly different, always more fun, version of the common English word we all know.

surpely
/sher·pel·lē/
adverb

1. surely
2. yes
3. OF COURSE!

Me: "Mack, can you do me a favor and put this in the garbage, please?"
Mack: "SURPELY, Mama!"

I surpely hope you had a wonderful weekend, Friends!

i want you all to have them

Remember this post? Where I talk about these?  I want you all to have them.

I've cleaned my bathroom three times now with microfiber cloths and they're life changing. Did you get that?  LIFE CHANGING!  Not only do I feel like my cleaning time is practically cut in half but my bathroom is crazy sparkley AND I don't feel guilty for killing a tree or contaminating the environment! Wahooo!

Needless to say, I wanna share it with the world! Well, with you anyway.

Before we get started, a few things:
1) I must really trust you people because I'm about to show you my dirty bathroom...after a week of a house full of sickos. Sorry, in advance.
2) I realized later that the before and after pics probably didn't need to be labeled. Yucka.
3) I am not affiliated with, nor paid by Kohler, Zwipes, Amazon, Walmart, the vinegar people, the water people, or the dried pee people. This is straight up all me.
4) Technically, I am affiliated with the makers of dried pee; however, they are definately not paying me to say that...or this.

The supplies.

Zwipes $22.22 + Mainstay Spray Bottle $0.98

1c. water + 1c. vinegar...let's just call it a nickle.

Start-up Cost: $23.25

The sink wasn't terrible because I use my face washcloth for wipe-downs every morning (after I wash my face, of course).

 But the toilet...oh dear.

Can we still be friends after seeing that?

The results.

Isn't this the prettiest? Found online, printed on cardstock, hung with washi tape. Happiness every time I open the door!

So much better than a pile of paper towels.

And it only took me this long!

Clearly, I still need to reseach an enviro-friendly toilet cleaner.

Suggestions?